Greenfield

GREENFIELD — That Richard K. Sullivan Jr. is bullish about the potential of the region’s economy should come as little surprise, since he’s the president and chief executive officer of the Economic Development Council of Western Massachusetts. But as a recent top-level official in former governor Deval Patrick’s administration – first as Conservation and Recreation commissioner, then as Energy and Environmental Affairs secretary and finally the governor’s chief of staff …

Greenfield Co-operative Bank and Northampton Cooperative Bank have gotten final government approvals to merge in April. The banks announced Thursday that they have received final regulatory approvals from the Federal Reserve Board and the Massachusetts Division of Banks. The banks will complete the legal merger on April 1. During the month of April, computer systems will be consolidated to allow the customers of …

NORTHAMPTON — A plan to combat abuse of heroin and prescriptions drugs unveiled by Gov. Charlie Baker Thursday is being greeted as good news by the top prosecutor in Hampshire and Franklin counties, where the epidemic has led to an alarming number of opioid overdoses in the last two years. Calling drug addiction …

Dozens of area business owners were briefed Tuesday on the state of natural gas capacity in the region and proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. pipeline project during informational meetings sponsored by chambers of commerce in Hampshire and Franklin …

NORTHAMPTON — A licensed practical nursing program will return to its roots at Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School after a sharply divided board of trustees voted Tuesday to make space by ending its 23-year-old lease with the …

GREENFIELD — Nicholas R. Schauer, the 19-year-old Sunderland man who threatened online to “re-enact Columbine” at Frontier Regional School in October, will continue to be held at Bridgewater State Hospital while his jury trial is being prepared. Judge John Agostini ordered Schauer to be held indefinitely at the …

NORTHAMPTON — Susan Lavallee’s kindergarten class at the R.K. Finn Ryan Road School has already started raising money for the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund. So far, the class has raised 50 cents. Someone found two quarters on the floor, but no one claimed them, so Lavallee decided …

A statewide industrial group and local chambers of commerce have scheduled by-invitation-only meetings Tuesday in Hadley and Greenfield to brief businesses about the project proposed by the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. Associated Industries of Massachusetts is the co-sponsor of the “business community energy briefing” sessions. The meeting in …

GREENFIELD — With a merger of Franklin County’s two veterans’ service districts nearing, local veterans may soon have an easier time navigating state and federal benefit programs. Tim Niejadlik, the director of the Veterans’ Services Resource and Referral Center in Greenfield, said a board consisting of representatives from …

GREENFIELD — Small-town governments are another avenue through which the Opioid Task Force is looking to get traction on the heroin and painkiller problem. Opioid Task Force member John Merrigan and coordinator Marisa Hebble Thursday night presented data on the problem and information on efforts underway to members …

Gardeners are usually generous people who are happy to share plants and seeds, garden experience and advice. We all treasure the daylily from mother’s garden or the primrose from our friend Sally’s garden or the strawberry or raspberry …

GREENFIELD — A dangerousness hearing for Nicholas R. Schauer, the 19-year-old Sunderland man who is charged with threatening to “re-enact Columbine” at Frontier Regional School, has been continued to Dec. 1. According to Greenfield District Court, the decision was made to allow Bridgewater State Hospital, where Schauer has …

GREENFIELD — Patriot Care Corp. is approaching its final hurdle before opening the first medical marijuana dispensary in Franklin County. The state Department of Public Health announced Friday that Patriot Care has been approved to advance to the inspection phase. The nonprofit medical marijuana company has proposed opening …